Buddhist Funeral Etiquette

Buddhist Funeral

Buddhist funeral etiquette differs from Hindu funeral etiquette in many ways. The first is that there is no place for flowers on the funeral pyre. This is because the deceased was not a practitioner of the religion and was, therefore, considered as an outsider by the Buddha. Even the cremation itself is different in that, in Hindu funerals, the body is cremated with the ashes placed on a golden casket. In Buddhist cremation, the ashes are burned on a fire rather than placed on a casket. This is said to symbolize the fact that the ashes do not belong to the living person but to the dust.

Another difference between the two is that in a buddhist funeral, family members will typically wear clothing that is white. Traditionally, it is considered that only the wearer of the white garments should take part in the funeral service. However, in some countries and cultures, other people such as relatives or close friends may take part. The reason behind this is that white clothes symbolize purity and are seen as holy. Wearing white clothes in a funeral service also shows respect to those who may not be as wealthy as the members of the family. Some families traditionally wear white dresses in public as a sign of respect to those who cannot afford expensive apparel.

There are also some Buddhist traditions that require that Buddhist Funeral Package beets be given to family members and friends on the day of the funeral. These are believed to be small symbols of good luck and happiness. For example, if the family has five dogs, a beethoven will be divided into two pieces before being given to family and friends. If the deceased enjoyed playing a lot of traditional games such as chess or billiards, then a special chessboard and seven dice would also be created and given to friends and relatives.

Buddhist Funeral Etiquette

When we speak of Buddhist funerals, we usually refer to a special event where the body is present in a funeral ceremony. It could be as simple as a cremation or a viewing. The Buddhist belief is that the body should remain with the spirit and hence there are many Buddhist ceremonies during which the body is not present. For example, during the 49 days leading up to a cremation, mourners do not pay any visits to the cremation site, but observe a silence meditation. It is believed that the spirit will depart for “heaven” prior to the cremation.

The family home is the location most commonly used for Buddhist funerals, even if the deceased was very closely related to their family. In many cases, the family home is rented out by the family to pay for the funeral. On the anniversary of the death, the entire family returns to the funeral home to honor the departed. This is referred to as the “returning of the ashes”.

Many people often wonder what type of service they should provide at a Buddhist funeral, or what exactly they should wear. One decision which must be made is how you may honor your loved one. You may choose to follow the traditions of wearing black, and it may even be preferred to wear white. However, wearing any color whatsoever is considered to be respectful. This is because all colors are representative of everything from the sun, to infinity.